Ian Sutherland’s Dan (Hielan Cap) came to the fore at Melvich, leaving the field well behind him by a comfortable margin, with his kennel mate, Ian’s Sid and Tommy McPhee’s Mick, his closest contenders.

Elinore Nilsson’s Ruh took the lead at Clova, a trial of invited Tayside handlers.

Most dogs ran out well and Ruh (E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, CT Mollers Aura) conformed there. Ruh had to work for her pen, but she was fit for that and a good shed set the seal on her winning run.

The previous week, a run-off between Ian Sutherland’s Cap and Peter Martin’s two-year-old Tilly at Lochbroom put the older dog in first place.

Handlers on Shetland had a busy few days with three trials and saw a welcome number of new and young handlers coming forward after a recent YF training event.

Stormy weather made conditions difficult at Tingwall, but Michael Shearer’s Viking Cap (JW Common’s Grit, B Smith’s Lass) made good work of handling well-conditioned Cheviot Shetland gimmers on the long cross drive, and scarcely put a foot wrong throughout.

The weather was a factor again at Dunrossness and the gimmers were lively to handle. Michael’s daughter, Vicky Shearer’s Viking Misty (JW Common’s Grit, B Smith’s Lass) managed the challenging outrun, the dog leg drive and the tight turn out of the cross drive gate, which gave the sheep an opportunity to drift away, if dogs lost contact.

At Skeld, the Shetland Cheviot gimmers were hard to hold at the top of the field. Once more, the turn through the cross drive gate could end the run for some handlers; those who failed to flank their dog soon enough to turn the sheep could see them take off out of the field rather than return to the pen.

Although Chris Williams’ Sweep (J Ramsay’s Cap, K Brehmer’s bitch) had to work to navigate the drive, he controlled his sheep well, kept them on the course and completed his run with a short edge over the prize list of steady and closely matched runs.

Scotch Mule gimmers generally ran well on the flat field at Hunterston, but some packets could be flighty. The long cross drive was hard to judge.

Elinore Nilsson’s Midderry Kid (RJ Hutchinson’s Sweep, L Magnusson’s Kate) ran out and lifted cleanly and had a very good fetch and drive, with only minor wavers. A clean pen and a very good shed completed her winning run.

The Blackface gimmers at Ardlamont were unpredictable on a day of heavy rain that impaired visibility at the far end of a flat field and a run off was called to separate the top two runs.

Zander Kent’s Lucy (P Byrne’s Moss and Ciara) ran out well and lifted cleanly; although she had minor wavers on the fetch and a slightly wide turn round Zander’s feet, she worked very well on the drive and turned neatly from the first leg on to the second. Hard work with reluctant sheep made for a clean pen and a good shed completed the run that led to her win.

LEADING awards

Skipness (Judge: J Main, Tayinloan). Open – 50 ran – 1, C Toner’s Niro Mace Drimsynie, 96; 2, SL Davidson’s Dan, Sandbank, 95; 3, A McCulloch’s Sam, Dalmellington, 94; 4, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 93; 5, JC MacLachlan’s Bob, Spean Bridge, 91; 6, R Rennie’s Cree, Furness, 90; 7, S Martin’s Cherry, Cashlie, 89 outbye; 8, JC MacLachlan’s Queen, Spean Bridge, 89. Local –1, A McCuish’s Brandy, Skipness, 88; 2, K Grieve’s Kyle, Skipness, 77; 3, A McCuish’s Mirk, Skipness, 73; 4, L Clark’s, Jim, Menian, 71. D Dickson’s two-dog aggregate – JC MacLachlan’s Bob and Queen.

Kirkton, Melvich (Judge: M MacKay, Durness). Open – 30 ran – 1, I Sutherland’s Dan (Hielan Cap), Strathnaver, 90; 2, I Sutherland’s Sid, Strathnaver, 84 outbye; 3, T McPhee’s Mick, Wick, 84; 4, L Ronaldson’s Bob, Wick, 83; 5, M Sutherland’s Missy, Halkirk, 81; 6, H MacKenzie’s Glen, Badanloch, 78.

Clova (Judge: J Fotheringham, Ardler). Local invitation – 25 ran – 1, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Alyth, 83; 2, S MacFarlane’s Willow, Blairgowrie, 79; 3, B Cocker’s Jim, Kirriemuir, 73; 4, A Wilkie’s Spot (Mot), Glenmoy, 69;5, R Hood’s Bran, Clova, 63; 6, A Wilkie’s Teal, Glenmoy, 58; Local 1, A Wilkie’s Spot (Mot), Glenmoy, 69;2, R Hood’s Bran, Clova, 63; 3, A Wilkie’s Teal, Glenmoy,58; 4, F Hood’s Min, Clova, 63.

Tingwall, Shetland (Judge: MC Hughson, Scalloway). Open – 31 ran – 1, MC Shearer’s Viking Cap, Westfield, 96; 2, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 93; 3, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 87; 4, D Murray’s Jill, North Roe, 85 outbye; 5, J Nicolson’s Flo, Scalloway, 85. Championship – 1, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 97. Limit – 13 ran – 1, R Colclough’s Marje, West Sandwick; 2, D Murray’s Bjorg, North Roe; 3, R Farquhar’s Jess, West Burrafirth.

Hunterston (Judge: S McCrindle, Stranaer). Open – 50 ran – 1, E Nilsson’s Midderry Kid, Alyth, 93; 2, M Young’s Duncaillean Tandy, Stranraer, 90 outbye; 3, M Gallagher’s Avon Roy, Alyth, 90; 4, C Toner’s Niro Mace Drimsynie, 89 outbye; 5, SL Davidson’s Maid, Sandbank, 89; 6, S Martin’s Kate, Cashlie, 86.

Lochbroom (Judge: N Campbell, Kinross). Open – 56 ran – 1, I Sutherland’s Cap, Strathnaver, 92 run off ; 2, P Martin’s Tilly, Glenlyon, 92; 3, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore, 91; 4, F Fulford’s Nelly, Eracht, 90 outbye; 5, JC MacLachlan’s Bob, Spean Bridge, 90; 6, I Wilkie’s Skye, Tillypronie, 88; 7, M MacNally’s Creag, Invergarry, 86; 8, P Martin’s Ivy, Glenlyon, 85; 9, AD Carnegie’s Suus, Comrie, 84; 10, I MacDonald’s Ben, Staffin, 81; Local 1, F Renwick’s Queen, Inverbroom; 2, G MacDonald’s Tia, Ullapool; £15,000 raised for Highland Hospice and MacMillan Cancer Support.

Ardlamont (Judge: A MacDiarmid, Strachur). Open – 37 ran – 1, A Kent’s Lucy, Dunoon, 90 run off; 2, L Gast’s Foxridge Vix, Scalpsie, 90; 3, N McVicar’s Mark, Benmore, 89; 4, P Martin’s Tilly, Glenlyon, 87; 5, R Howatson’s Chip, Fairlie, 83; 6, AD MacKenzie’s Jess, Luss, 81 outbye; 7, N McVicar’s Baledmund Pete, Benmore, 81.

South Shetland, Dunrossness (Judge: MC Shearer, Westfield). Open – 27 ran – 1, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 86; B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 83; 3, J Nicolson’s Viking Abby, Scalloway, 82; 4, J Nicolson’s Flo, Scalloway, 80; 5, AWP Hughson’s Nortrow Lol, Girlsta, 78. Championship – 1, B Smith’s Chip (Flash), Dunrossness, 93/110; 2, V Shearer’s Viking Misty, Westfield, 92. Limit – 6 ran – 1, C Tait’s Viking Bess, Bigton; 2, D Murray’s Bjorg, North Roe; 3, AWP Hughson’s Mirk, Girlsta.

Birthwood (Judge: D Scrimgeour, Wigton). Open – 65 ran – 1, R Dalziel’s Ash, Ettrick, 83; 2, I Lockhart’s Roy, Carsphairn, 82; 3, C Dickson’s Tom, Coldingham, 81 outbye; 4, IM Brownlie’s Lark, Dunbar, 81; 5, M Gallagher’s Avon Roy, Alyth, 78 outbye; 6, H Brown’s Mac, Coulter, 78.

Skeld, Shetland (Judge: B Smith, Dunrossness). Open – 29 ran – 1, C Williamson’s Sweep, Ollaberry, 90; 2, J Ramsay’s Josie, Ollaberry, 88; 3, J Ramsay’s Sally, Ollaberry, 87; 4, J Nicolson’s Viking Abby, Scalloway, 85; 5, AWP Hughson’s Midge, Girlsta, 84; 6, R Colclough’s Marje, West Sandwick, 79. Limit – Seven ran – 1, R Farquhar’s Skip, West Burrafirth, 40 /60; 2, H Davidson’s Mirk, West Quarff, 37; 3, R Grain’s Sky, Vidlin, 25; £650 raised for 2024 Scottish National at Inverness.

Top 5 dogs from each day are placed according to their positions on the day, this is reflected in apparent anomalies in scores.

English National – 1, P Walton’s Burndale Scot (360952) 124 /220 run off; 2, BW Jordan’s Chase (381369) 150 Run Off; M Davidson’s Heather (370589) 175 run off; 4=, M Hutchinson’s Katie (345661) 151; 4= , P Ellis’s Scott (369985) 148; 4=, J Elkin’s Elan Valley Sally (364171) 148; 7=, H Plant’s Floss (354134) 135; 7=, R Taylor’s Tess (393586) 134; 7=, B Smith’s Kirby (358403) 131; 10=, R Galloway’s Heyshaw Nemo (355876) 133; 10=, A Wilkinson’s Pip (358908) 131; 10=, G Fearon’s Dave (341471) 127; 13=, A Smart’s Coby (371498) 131; 13=, C Balmbro’s Liz (345842) 125; 13=, R Watson’s Ace (330765) 124; Res J Dumbleton’s Gem 375267. Brace – 1, RJ Hutchinson’s Jonah (9362571) and Chrissie (379295) 212/280; 2, M Hutchinson’s Katie (345661) and Shadwell Susie (Sophie) (350782) 205.

Welsh National – 1, DK Evans’ Kemi Jack (374101) 206 run off; 2, D Davies’ Treflys Ben (377815) 208; 3, TB Davies’ Eglwys Troy (366395) 186; 4=, AM Driscoll’s Kinloch Taz, 201; 4=, R Ellis’ Tod (352010) 196; 4=, N Watkins’ Jazz (348459) 184; 7=, D Jenkins’ Jock (346553) 200; 7=, R Games’ Nefinn Boy (385201) 194; 7=, B Lester’s Jill (360583) 184; 10=, Ll Harries’ Preseli Jock (346215) 198; 10=, A Ll Owen’s Nan (353963) 191; 10=, A Owen’s Llangwm Tom (383250) 182; 13=, JM Howell’s Cyndros Boss (368964) 196; 13=, T Thewissen’s Fellside Finn (346732) 190; 13= M Dubenova’s Kemi Kurt (381179) 181; Res, E Hope’s Trefynor Lass (356520) 194. Brace – 1, DK Evans’ Knockmaa Bec (345695) and Hendre Sam (372563) 240 /280; 2, A Driscoll’s KinlochCarlos (349573) and Kinloch Taz (362029) 190.